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Ms Kathy O' Sullivan

B.A., PG Dip

Contact Details

LECTURER BELOW THE BAR
E: KATHY.OSULLIVAN@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Kathy O’Sullivan is currently working as a lecturer in mathematics education. Prior to commencing her role as a mathematics teacher educator in NUI Galway, Kathy worked as the National Programme Coordinator for the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (PDMT) in EPI*STEM (The National Centre for STEM Education in Ireland). Kathy completed a postgraduate diploma in mathematics education for teaching in the University of Limerick and has experience in teaching mathematics to all levels in secondary school. 

Kathy is undertaking a PhD which is investigating post-primary pre-service teachers’ numeracy capabilities and their understanding of the concept of numeracy. Kathy has a keen interest in teachers' understanding of mathematical concepts and numeracy concepts in subjects other than mathematics. Kathy is passionate about encouraging numeracy across the curriculum as a whole school approach and enjoys supporting all teachers in embedding numeracy within their subject area. Developing students’ numeracy skills is vital, as these are lifelong skills which are essential for participation in society.

Research Interests

Kathy's main research interest is numeracy across the curriculum and her doctoral research is generating knowledge about the preparedness of prospective teachers to support and develop their students' numeracy capabilities. 

Research Interests:
  • Embedding numeracy across the curriculum in primary and post-primary schools
  • Numeracy development in Adult Education
  • Curriculum reform in the area of mathematics education
  • Use of real life applications of mathematics
  • Teachers as designers of curriculum
  • Continuous Professional Development for teachers

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2020) 'The evolution and uptake of numeracy and mathematical literacy as drivers for curriculum reform'
Goos, M., & O’Sullivan, K. (2020) 'The evolution and uptake of numeracy and mathematical literacy as drivers for curriculum reform' In: School mathematics curriculum reforms: Challenges, changes and opportunities. International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI): Springer. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2019) Proceedings of the 43rd conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol. 4, p. 170). Pretoria, South Africa: PME
O’Sullivan, K., O’Meara, N., Goos, M., & Conway, P. (2019) Teaching numeracy across the curriculum – What knowledge do preservice teachers need? Proceedings of the 43rd conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol. 4, p. 170). Pretoria, South Africa: PME [Details]
(2019) Seventh Conference on Research in Mathematics Education in Ireland
O’Sullivan, K., O’Meara, N., Goos, M., & Conway, P. (2019) The N Framework - A potential Solution to Numeracy across the Curriculum Seventh Conference on Research in Mathematics Education in Ireland [Details]
(2018) ICMI-24 Study Conference on School mathematics curriculum reforms: Challenges, changes and opportunities. Tsukuba, Japan, 26-30 November
Goos, M., & O’Sullivan, K. (2018) A comparative analysis of numeracy as a driver for curriculum reform in Australia and Ireland ICMI-24 Study Conference on School mathematics curriculum reforms: Challenges, changes and opportunities. Tsukuba, Japan, 26-30 November [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2020) Creativity and Innovation in the Classroom,
O’Sullivan, K. (2020) Literacy and Numeracy in practice. [Keynote Address], Creativity and Innovation in the Classroom, Galway, Ireland , 19-FEB-20. [Details]
(2018) Science and Mathematics Education Conference,
O’Sullivan, K., O’Meara, N., Goos, M., & Conway, P. (2018) How numerate are pre-service teachers?. [Oral Presentation], Science and Mathematics Education Conference, Dublin, Ireland , 26-JUN-18. [Details]
(2017) Educational Studies Association of Ireland,
O’Sullivan, K., O’Meara, N., & Conway, P. (2017) The Battle of Literacy vs Numeracy. [Oral Presentation], Educational Studies Association of Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland , 21-APR-17. [Details]
(2016) Science and Mathematics Education Conference,
O’Sullivan, K., O’Meara, N., & Conway, P. (2016) Teaching Numeracy as a cross curricular subject in Post-primary school. [Oral Presentation], Science and Mathematics Education Conference, Dublin, Ireland , 16-JUN-16. [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2019 John Coolahan Research Support Framework Award Teaching Council of Ireland

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Educational Studies Association of Ireland This association is dedicated to the advancement of educational research in Ireland /
International Group for Psychology of Mathematics Education PME is an international group of mathematics educators and researchers who gather once a year to share our work and interests at an Annual Conference. The aim of the organisation is to promote international contacts and exchange of information in the field of mathematics education /
Young European society for Research in Mathematics Education (YERME) YERME aims to support young researchers in the field of mathematics education share their work and opens opportunities for collaboration with other countries /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Steering Group Committe for Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching Steering Committee member / 31-OCT-19
International Congress on Mathematical Education Organising Committee for ICME - 14 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
NUI Galway Lecturer in Mathematics Education 04-NOV-19 /
University of Limerick National Programme Coordinator for the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (PDMT) 13-OCT-14 / 31-OCT-19
Terence McSwiney Community College, Cork Mathematics Teacher 01-JAN-09 / 03-OCT-14

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2012 University of Limerick Postgraduate Diploma Mathematics Teaching
2009 University College Cork Bachelor of Arts Mathematics & Gaeilge

Teaching Interests

Kathy has a passion for teaching mathematics for understanding. She believes it is essential that teachers promote real life applications of mathematics as this will support students' learning. In Kathy's modules, she encourages pre-service teachers to become designers of their own resources and of the curriculum, and does this by providing them with the knowledge and tools to become pro-active teachers of mathematics. 

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2019 - Present Principles of Second - Level Mathematics ED109 This module engages students in re-examining the major mathematical concepts from Junior and Leaving Certificate mathematics with the aim of initiating the transition of students' mathematical knowledge from knowledge required of a student, to knowledge required for effective teaching. Particular emphasis is placed on deepening conceptual understanding and making connections across topics.
2019 - Present Practical Teaching Programme 1 ED199 This module introduces students to the classroom environment, schools as organisations and teaching as a profession. Student teachers undertake a series of visits to local schools to conduct structured observations, carry out teaching and learning activities, and interact with school professionals in order to develop an understanding and appreciation of the complexities of mathematics teaching and learning, and the requirements of the teaching profession.
2019 - Present Professional Practice ED6201 Numeracy - a cross curricular approach
2019 - Present Research Literacies for Professional Development & Lifelong Learning ED329 This module is about becoming literate in research as it relates to teaching. This will enable students to become researchers in their own classrooms.
2019 - Present Mathematics Methodology & Skills of Teaching ED295 This module addresses issues of professional practice with regard to planning and conducting a mathematics lesson, student assessment and managing a classroom. These elements will be discussed and applied specifically in the context of second level mathematics education.